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Thought I would share a quote from "White Fire" by Preston an Child that I ran across.
"Carroting, you must understand, was a process by which animal fur is bathed in a solution of mercury nitrate, in order to render the hairs more supple, thus producing a superior felt." At this last word, he threw a significant glance in my direction.
"Felt," I repeated. "You mean for the making of hats?"
"Precisely. The solution is of an orange color, hence the term "Carroting". However, this process had rather severe side effects on those who worked with it, which is why its use today is much reduced. When mercury vapors are inhaled over a long enough period of time the toxic and irreversible effects almost inevitably follow. One develops tremors of the hands, blackened teeth:slurred speech.. In severe cases, dementia or outright insanity can occur. Hence the term " mad as a hatter"
Be careful you guys.